IA 17780 and the December 2017 Audit and Assurance Committee's Internal Audit Report

Keith Prince: In your response to Question 2019/19759, you state that IA 17780 was classified as “Consultancy” and “No Conclusion” because that was the ‘correct classification’.
If (a) a post-meeting note contained in the 26 June 2017 Minutes of the Safety, Sustainability and Human Resources Committee (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/sshrp-20170928-item03-minutes.pdf) clearly identifies the audit conclusion as “Requires Improvement” and (b) the first drafts of IA 17780 released in Question 2019/12001 clearly display “Audit Conclusion: Requires Improvement” on the Title Pages and (c) if, as you say “the evidence and recommendations were not changed”, how can “Consultancy/No Conclusion” possibly serve as the Audit and Assurance Committee’s correct classification for that internal Audit?

The Mayor: I refer you to my previous responses on this point. “Consultancy” and “No Conclusion” was the correct classification for an audit report on an external contractor.

Applications for the Civil Innovation Challenge (1)

Fiona Twycross: How many applications did you receive for the Mayor’s Civil Innovation Challenge?

The Mayor: My Civic Innovation Challenge received 128 applications and expressions of interest, with a wide and diverse spread of technologies and solutions represented by applicants.The finalists will be announced during February.

Applications for the Civil Innovation Challenge (2)

Fiona Twycross: How will you be assessing applications for the Mayor’s Civil Innovation Challenge?

The Mayor: Applications are assessed in a fair and transparent manner based on eight criteria: understanding of the challenge and alignment with the policy objectives: user-centricity and innovativeness of the solution: commercial sustainability and scalability of the solution: the feasibility of delivering the solution within the pilot period and the experience of the team.
Assessment for the countering violent extremism online challenge was conducted by GLA officers alongside representatives from the Metropolitan Police Service, with the support of Social Tech Trust. Assessment for the democratising planning challenge was conducted by representatives from the GLA Planning team, with the support of Social Tech Trust.Assessment for Transport for London's challenge on making freight more efficient will be conducted on a slightly delayed timeline, owing to additional procurement requirements.

Protecting the Rights of EU Citizens

Leonie Cooper: How will you be working with the new Government to ensure the rights of EU citizens in London are protected?

The Mayor: I’ve been clear that, despite Brexit, over 1 million EU citizens living in London are Londoners. They’re our friends, neighbours and colleagues. They face the biggest change in rights and immigration status in our country for a generation.
I’ll continue standing up for their rights to be protected. I’m calling on the new Government to properly invest in outreach, support and targeted advice so Londoners aren’t left without status and facing the Government’s discriminatory hostile environment.
At City Hall we’re doing everything we can to help European Londoners. Throughout 2019 we have held events in partnership with pro bono lawyers, reaching over a thousand European Londoners by providing free 1-2-1 advice on their rights. We have invested £100,000 in microgrants to fund community projects that directly support the most vulnerable European Londoners. We also launched the EU Londoners Hub[1] this year, which provides crucial information about living in London after Brexit.
[1] https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/eu-londoners-hub

TfL Fare Evasion Notices

Jennette Arnold: How many fare evasion notices did TfL issue in the years 2014-19? Please provide a breakdown of notices year by year.

The Mayor: The below table displays the number of Penalty Fare Notices issued per financial year on buses, London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and TfL Rail.
Financial year
Fare evasion prosecutions
2014/15
83,885
2015/16
73,315
2016/17
85,493
2017/18
76,554
2018/19
87,319
2019/20*
56,422
*Data is held up to 07/12/19

Uber London Limited

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to question 2019/20717 you stated “During the previous appeal process, which you refer to above, TfL put a number of documents into the public domain:https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/press-releases-and-ne...The documents were published at an appropriate time during the appeal process and with the approval of the Magistrate’s Court. It is likely that TfL will take a similar approach in this case.”
Please state whether there are legal or other restrictions preventing all relevant documents relating to TfL’s licensing decision from being immediately published in full? Surely such full publication of documentation would provide more public confidence in TfL’s licensing decision and also ensure more accurate and balanced media reporting of TfL’s decision?

The Mayor: I agree that it is important for Transport for London (TfL) to be transparent about its licensing decision and it has published a summary of the rationale for its decision here: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2019/september/uber-london-limited-licensing-decision.
I recognise that there is significant public interest in this case and understand TfL has now published further information on its decision here: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/press-releases-and-news?intcmp=34231

London Living Wage and the GLA

Caroline Russell: Do you ensure that any companies and businesses you work with, promote through any Mayoral schemes, or those awarded grants, pay all their employees and apprentices at least the London Living Wage (LLW)? If not, what proportion of each type of organisation you work with currently pays at least the LLW?

The Mayor: In line with my Responsible Procurement Policy, the GLA requires 100 per centof relevant contracts to pay the London Living Wage (LLW) to staff who are engaged to work on that contract.
The Grants Working Group gathers together officers across City Hall policy teams to share best practice in grant management, evaluation and monitoring, including how best to encourage good employment practices among grant recipient organisations.
I consistently called on employers in all sectors to do the right thing and pay the living wage to all of their employees and seek Living Wage Foundation Accreditation. I’m proud that during my time as Mayor, the number of accredited Living Wage employers in London has more than doubled, to over 1,700.

London Challenge Poverty Week 2019

Jennette Arnold: How did GLA family organisations support London Challenge Poverty Week 2019?

The Mayor: London Challenge Poverty Week highlights the amazing work of civil society organisations to combat poverty in London.
My Deputy Mayor for Social Integration Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard delivered a keynote speech at the campaign’s flagship event the London Child Poverty Summit. She announced the interim findings of the GLA’s pilot project to tackle child poverty through schools. It generated £50,000 additional income for seven families receiving welfare advice in the first five weeks. Debbie also spoke at an event at Toynbee Hall and launched the new Employment Rights Hub on London.gov.uk.
My Deputy Mayor for Education and Childcare Joanne McCartney hosted an Early Years event at City Hall where she spoke about City Hall’s work to increase access to early education for London’s most disadvantaged families.
I expressed my personal support for the 2019 campaign by releasing a video message to mark the UN’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

TfL Fare Evasion Prosecutions

Jennette Arnold: How many prosecutions for fare evasion did TfL take to court in the years 2014-2019? Please provide a breakdown year by year.

The Mayor: The below table displays the number of prosecutions for fare evasion undertaken by Transport for London, broken down by financial year.
Prosecutions were centralised for all modes in 2017. Prior to this, each mode conducted prosecutions separately. Per mode, the data is held and displayed below covering the following timeframes:
Financial year
Fare evasion prosecutions
2014/15
12,662
2015/16
17,050
2016/17
20,600
2017/18
21,851
2018/19
31,003
2019/20 YTD
21,652

Emergency Food Parcels in London (2)

Fiona Twycross: Research by the Trussell Trust shows that the primary reason for referral to a food bank in April to September 2019 was low income (https://www.trusselltrust.org/news-and-blog/latest-stats/mid-year-stats/). How important is it that we tackle poverty as the root cause of food insecurity in London?

The Mayor: It’s critical that we redouble our efforts to tackle low-paid, precarious work, high living costs, and the effects of welfare reforms which combine to deepen poverty, causing food insecurity. In a city as prosperous as London, it’s unacceptable that one-in-five Londoners, including 400,00 children, are food insecure.
I’m doing all I can to keep costs down including through the hopper fare, buildinga record number of affordable homes and promoting the uptake of childcare entitlements. Toboost incomes, I’mchampioningthe London Living Wage through my Good Work Standard. My recent pilot of welfare advice in primary schools secured an average of £7,000ofadditional annual income per family.
However, the Government holds many of the levers to tackle poverty.I’ll continue to hold them to account for the damagedone byadecade of austerityand policies like the benefit freeze and two-child limitwhichpush many people into poverty.

TfL’s Failure to send Fatigue Audit IA 17 780 to RAIB, SNC Lavalin, ORR and Police

Keith Prince: In your answer to MQ 2018/2612 you clearly state “The Managing Director of Surface Transport is responsible for Transport for London's engagement with the RAIB, ORR, BTP, SNC-Lavalin and the Coroner, discharged through the General Manager for London Trams, the Director of Health Safety & Environment, the Chief Customer Officer and General Counsel.” Yet TfL’s 24 July 2018 Board Report ascribes that responsibility to the HSE team, a narrative reiterated by your Deputy Mayor at the London Assembly on 11 September 2019.
Therefore, in order to state unequivocally that responsibility for the error lay with HSE, you must have evidence that HSE failed in the discharge of those duties, rather than the MD Surface—who you identify as having overall responsibility—or the other functions you list.
1) Do you or do you not have such evidence?
2) If you have any evidence, please provide it.
3) If you do not have any evidence, will you explain why you continue to place the blame for failing to send IA 17 780 to the police and other bodies investigating Sandilands on HSE, rather than that on the MD of Surface Transport, General Manager for London Trams, Chief Customer Officer or General Counsel?

The Mayor: The answer to Mayor’s Question 2018/2612 was that Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Managing Director of Surface Transport’s responsibility for TfL’s engagement with the RAIB, ORR, BTP, SNC-Lavalin and the Coroner, was discharged through the General Manager for London Trams, the Director of Health Safety & Environment, the Chief Customer Officer and General Counsel.” (emphasis supplied).
It does not conflict with the 24 July 2018 Board Report (nor anything said by the Deputy Mayor at the London Assembly on 11 September 2019). The report sets out what happened, namely:
“…the Chair asked if the audit report had been sent to the external bodies investigating the Sandilands incident, he having previously proposed that this should be done. TfL’s Director of Health and Safety said that she believed it had been sent but would confirm. Following the meeting it was discovered that the audit report had not in fact been sent to the external bodies.
Our Health and Safety department was responsible for sharing this audit report with the external bodies, but in error it was not sent as originally thought. This was clearly an oversight, which was rectified as soon as we realised that this had occurred. The Director of Health and Safety also contacted the Chair of the SSHR Panel to inform him of the error, to apologise and to confirm that the audit report had been sent.”

Delays

Keith Prince: How many times since May 2016 have mechanical issues on Underground trains resulted in passenger delays? Please provide a breakdown by month and Tube line.

The Mayor: The table belowcontains data on technical failures on Tube trains that have resulted in delays to passenger services. Transport for London (TfL) is rolling out an improvement programme on its trains to improve safety, accessibility, reliability and customer satisfaction and reduce maintenance costs. Plans are also in place to replace life-expired trains.
On the Piccadilly line, TfL is introducing a new fleet of trains, which will feature wider doors and improved accessibility, as well as longer, walk-through, air-conditioned carriages and improved information systems for passengers. These trains will be delivered in 2023 and replace the current fleet, which will be more than 50 years old. The new trains will be in service from 2024.
On the Central line, TfL is undertaking the £380m Central Line Improvement Programme, which will significantly improve the reliability of the fleet. This work includes replacing motors and electrical and mechanical parts and introducing CCTV. This work is due to be completed in 2023.
On the Bakerloo line fleet, improvements are underway to ensure continued reliability ahead of any renewal of the fleet. It remains TfL’s intention to replace trains on the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines as well, bringing them in line with modern standards. However, this can only proceed once certainty of long-term steady and sustained funding is confirmed by the Government.
On the Jubilee line, toward the end of last year, a fault was identified on a small number of Jubilee line trains during TfL’s regular safety inspections. Most of the fleet has now been repaired with most trains safety-tested and returned to service.

Brexit Business Intelligence and Support

Leonie Cooper: Mayoral Decision 2549 sets out a timetable for the delivery of engagement with 3,000 businesses in relation to the challenges posed by Brexit. The Mayoral Decision also seeks to gather intelligence on the challenges businesses are facing as a result of Brexit. Do you share my concerns that the Government allocated this funding in October 2019, leaving an extremely tight timescale for the delivery of such important research?

The Mayor: Yes. I have urged the Government to extend Brexit-related funding to Growth Hubs beyond this financial year in order to ensure businesses could be supported through the likely impact of Brexit.
As things stand, after December 2020, hundreds of thousands of businesses will be trading with the EU for the first time as a “third country”. This will be very challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises, and I will continue to press for better support from Government and funding to help our businesses adjust.
In 2019, over 8,000 business professionals visited our Brexit Business Resource Hub where we offer practical advice from trade experts about what steps to take. This support continues into 2020 with free 1:1 advice sessions and events for businesses.

Coworking spaces in London

Leonie Cooper: Research from Coworking Resources has shown that London has opened 48 coworking spaces in 2019. This is more than any other city in the world (https://www.uktech.news/news/london-leads-the-global-co-working-revolution-20191208). How are you encouraging the growth of coworking spaces?

The Mayor: The growth within London’s open workspace sector is testament to the thriving nature of London’s small business community, but we need to ensure the sector is growing in a sustainable and equitable way. That is why I am piloting a workspace accreditation programme to encourage fairer and more sustainable business models that support local communities and provide affordable space for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. I am also using my planning powers to protect and encourage the provision of affordable workspace.
Last year I established a new Workspace Advisory Board representing users of workspace, large and small workspace providers from across the capital, providers of fixed office space on flexible terms and developers. This new Board is supporting me to help address issues within the sector faces and suggest proposals on how I can address these challenges. The Group is in the process of agreeing its action plan which will drive its agenda for the next two years.

Indian Independence Day Violence (2)

David Kurten: What steps will you take to prevent any such violent mob incidents targeting the Indian community from being repeated in the future?

The Mayor: Apologies for the delay in responding to this written question. I set out my position on this matter at Mayor's Question Time on 12 September 2019. Please see my response toMayor's Question 2019/17500.

Light Rail Safety Standards Board

Navin Shah: Following the Croydon tram crash in 2016, the Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB), a UK wide regulatory body, was established in order to set new guidance and safety regulation specific to the tram industry. What steps will the Mayor take to ensure that TFL and any London tram operations play an integral role in the development of such guidance?

The Mayor: I am committed to ensuring that the UK tram industry benefits from the lessons learned from the tragedy at Sandilands. Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, Jon Fox, has been has been appointed to the Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB) so TfL is well-placed to support the development of common standards and good practice guidance.
TfL’s London Trams team meets regularly with the LRSSB, as well as with other tram operators and authorities. This ensures that any learnings from the work undertaken to respond to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch recommendations is shared with the wider industry and to enable greater consistency and cooperation on tram safety across the UK.

Crossrail Opening Date

Navin Shah: The opening date for the central section of the Crossrail route has changed four times since the project began. The latest estimate is that it will open “as soon as practically possible in 2021.” When will you be able to provide a definitive opening date, and what will you do to help ensure this date does not slip?

The Mayor: Crossrail Limited recently confirmed that the central section of the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood will open to passengers in summer 2021.
Its latest forecast is based on the current progress with completing software development for the signalling and train systems along with safety assurance for the railway. Crossrail Limited plan to begin intensive operational testing known as Trial Running in autumn 2020.
I will continue to scrutinise and hold Crossrail Limited to account, alongside Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) as Joint Sponsor, to ensure their timeline is maintained and that the London Assembly and Londoners are kept up to date with progress. The governance and scrutiny of the project has improved considerably, with the Crossrail Limited Chair and Chief Executive now attending all meetings of the TfL Board to give comprehensive updates in public.
I also meet with the Crossrail leadership and the Transport Commissioner every six weeks, and my Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Transport meet with them every two weeks to discuss progress and go through weekly metrics on safety performance and testing progress.

Social value procurement in London boroughs

Jennette Arnold: What review or analysis have you undertaken of the current social value being leveraged from the spending of London boroughs, and what potential increase could be gained through changes in policy?

The Mayor: I want the extensive public procurement of products and services across London to deliver lasting positive change. The GLA Group aim to lead by example by delivering social value through the Responsible Procurement Policy and Action Implementation Plan that delivers a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.
My officers work with London Boroughs to share good practice through a number of networks such as the Social Value Task Force and the London Boroughs Responsible Procurement Network. Although it is not within the GLA’s remit to directly oversee the approach of boroughs to procurement or social value, we have acted to support boroughs to deliver social value. For example, the Architecture Design and Urbanism Panel procurement framework helps organisations, including councils, to incorporate social value into built environment projects. We are also developing a set of London-specific ‘Themes, Outcomes and Measures’ (TOMS) to help measure the social value provided by public spending, which will be available for use by the boroughs.

Good Work Standard (GWS) sectoral reach (1)

Onkar Sahota: How many firms are signed up to the GWS where average company pay is below the London-wide average?

The Mayor: Data on average company pay is not publicly available for the vast majority of businesses.
However, the Good Work Standard has fair pay at its heart and being an accredited living employer is a requirement. The current London Living Wage rate is £10.75 an hour.

Good Work Standard (GWS) sectoral reach (3)

Onkar Sahota: How many firms signed up to the GWS have a) 50 to 250 employees and b) 50 employees or fewer?

The Mayor: There are currently 49 accredited Good Work Standard employers. I’m calling on employers of all sizes to sign up in my mission to make London the best city in the world in which to work. The breakdown of the number of employees in the accredited Good Work Standard employers is below.
Number of employees
Count
Less than 50
11
50 to 250
11
More than 250
27

Good Work Standard (GWS) sectoral reach (2)

Onkar Sahota: How many firms in each ONS-defined sector have signed up to the GWS?

The Mayor: There are currently 49 accredited Good Work Standard employers. I’m calling on employers from all sectors to sign up in my mission to make London the best city in the world in which to work. The breakdown of those employers who are already accredited in included in the table below.
Sector
Count
Arts, entertainment and recreation
3
Construction
2
Education
1
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
1
Financial and Insurance activities
6
Human health and social work activities
2
Information and communication
2
Other service activities
7
Professional, scientific and technical activities
10
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
12
Transportation and storage
1
Wholesale and retail trade
2

Crossrail procurement authority

Caroline Russell: The Use of Delegated Authority paper, in the agenda of the Transport for London (TfL) Programmes and Investment Committee on 18 December 2019, lists two uses of procurement authority relating to Crossrail. Could you tell me: a) why it was necessary to obtain these procurement authorities, and b) what these two projects are delivering?

The Mayor: There was an error on the cover paper which was corrected at the meeting and the minutes will refer to the correction. Only one instance in the use of Delegated Authority relates to works on Crossrail stations.
The Programme for the Investment and Transformation of TfL Advertising (PITTA) is a Transport for London (TfL) programme and does not relate to the core scope or funding for Crossrail Limited. The procurement is for the design, manufacture and installation of cladding infill panels and supporting structures for new advertising assets within Crossrail stations. This work is funded by TfL and the value falls under the delegated authorities of its Chief Finance Officer.

London & Partners - Dot London

Susan Hall: Further to MD2543, what is the projected revenue generation from Dot London activity over the course of London & Partners' three year strategy (2018-2021)?

The Mayor: As is common in such arrangements, revenue details of Dot London are regarded as commercially sensitive and therefore not publicly available so as not to prejudice future commercial negotiations.
London & Partners are seeking to increase their revenue from Dot London as much as possible through targeted marketing and working with their supplier to collaborate with the registrars in sales efforts.
Dot London generated 30,000 domain name sales in its first phase of public availability from April 2014. The domain has a higher than industry average renewal rate at 77 per centand is currently the third best-selling city top-level domain name globally behind Tokyo and New York City. We estimate that approximately 60 pr centof dot.london domain owners are small businesses.

Twitter cost

Shaun Bailey: What is the total amount of money the GLA has spent on Twitter for the 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 financial year? Please also provide a breakdown of how this was spent.

The Mayor: Advertising on Twitter is used to inform and engage Londoners on the work of the Mayor and the London Assembly.
The total amount of money spent by the GLA on Twitter advertising for 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years is £97,588.42 across @LDN_gov,@LDNGrowthHub, @LondonAssemblyand @MayorofLondon accounts.Brokendown by financial yearthis is:
Financial year
Total
2015/16
£0
2016/17
£5,000.00
2017/18
£46,466.16
2018/19
£46,122.26
Total
£97,588.42
The campaigns that Twitter advertising was used forby @LondonAssemblybroken down byfinancial year isas follows.
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
N/A
N/A
N/A
Loneliness campaign
Blue Plaques
BAME Donors
Domestic Abusers Register
Promoting AM’s reports
The spend on this channel in 2018/19 was £1,918.45.
The campaigns that Twitter advertising was used for by @LDN_Gov, @MayorofLondon and @LDNGrowthHubbroken down byfinancial year isas follows:
2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
N/A
NYEfireworks event
LondonGrowth Hub
London Growth Hub
NYEfireworks event
Crowdfunding
NYEfireworks event
Rough Sleeping
To note: In 2017/18 and 2018/19, the GLA supported the London Growth Hub with running campaigns. The London Growth Hub is a product of the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP) andprovides advice, support and resources to London businesses to help them start, sustain and grow. All advertising for the campaign was fully funded by LEAP through HM Government Growth Hub grant funding.

Tower Subway connecting Tower Hill to Tooley Street

Caroline Pidgeon: Are any steps being taken to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first trial or the first passenger service under the Tower Subway this year?

The Mayor: The opening of the short-lived Tower Subway in August 1870 was notable for the pioneering tunnel techniques deployed by engineer James Greathead, which were to lead to the construction of the first successful underground railway twenty years later in 1890. Although the remains of the subway are not a Transport for London (TfL) asset, TfL anticipates marking the date through the London Transport Museum’s social media content. The subway is already featured in the Museum’s ‘Digging Deeper’ gallery at Covent Garden.

Awareness of London initiatives to support small businesses

Caroline Pidgeon: On the 6th January 2020 the Federation of Small Businesses published results of a survey of 202 small businesses conductedbetween 14th October 2019 and 3rd December 2019. Its survey revealed many small businesses were unaware of London initiatives to support wellbeing with 69% having not heard of either the London Growth Hub or the Mayor’s Good Work Standard.
What steps are you taking to ensure that awareness of these initiatives is increased amongst London small businesses?

The Mayor: With over one million microbusinesses and SMEs in London, reaching every last enterprise will always be a significant challenge. I am pleased about the progress we have made, but we continue to strive to raise awareness of our programmes among all businesses.
I am transforming the London Growth Hub to include face to face business support which has seen five sites open across London where businesses can receive 1-2-1 support from experienced business advisors. There will also be a new events and marketing programme and a range of outreach work to ensure that the message is getting out to allcommunities. My officials are working to promote the Growth Hub and the Good Work Standard with a range of networks and continue to develop new partnerships across London, including the Federation of Small Businesses and other similar organisations. See www.growthhub.london for more information.
The Good Work Standard is for businesses of all sizes. There are currently 11 businesses with less than 50 employees who are Good Work Standard accredited, but we need to do more. The team are trialling new guidance with small businesses to see how we can increase awareness of the initiative.

Human Error and TfL’s Failure to send Fatigue Audit IA 17 780 to RAIB, SNC Lavalin, ORR and Police

Keith Prince: In your response to MQ 2019/12327, you state "there was no single person responsible." Has TfL identified the specific multiple individuals who were collectively responsible for this "human error"?

The Mayor: As my Deputy Mayor for Transport explained when she appeared in front of the London Assembly Transport Committee on 11 September 2019, the request for the report to be shared with the investigating bodies in November 2018 was not minuted. As a result of that, it was not then on the live actions list for Transport for London (TfL) officers to be checking off and making sure that they had complied with the actions of that meeting. When this was followed up in January 2019, it is my understanding that the then Director of Health and Safety said that she believed the report had been shared with the investigating authorities but upon checking discovered that it had not. The report was then shared.
Previously, when audits were done TfL did not automatically share them with investigating bodies. Since this sequence of events, procedures have been strengthened to ensure that if an audit has been conducted that has a material impact and could be of interest to investigating bodies, it is shared as a matter of course.